Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

The Prophet Nahum prophesied about one hundred and fifty years after Jonah but was also focused on the city of Nineveh. However, Nahum has but one subject - the destruction of Nineveh - not it's salvation.

According to ancient historians, the city was destroyed nearly one hundred years after Nahum's prophecy, exactly as predicted in his prophetic book. As you read our passage for today, you will become very aware of the "holiness of God" which demands He deal with sin, with judgment.

The people of Nineveh had departed from their faithfulness to God, which had come about in the days that Jonah ministered in this Gentile city. During Jonah's ministry, the city and the King had turned to God. Now 150 years later they turn from God.

Into this scene comes the prophet Nahum with his message of the awesomeness and holiness of God. God is a jealous God, a Lord that has reserved wrath for His enemies, verse 2. The Lord is slow to anger - but has great power and will not acquit the wicked, verse 3.

This God, the God of the Jewish people, has control over His creation. In His judgment He comes as the "whirlwind", as a mighty storm who controls the seas, the rivers, the mountains and in fact, the entire earth, verses 3-5. Nahum asked the question of those who face judgment, "who can stand before His indignation". The answer is "no one".

The great lessons of Nahum are that God is slow to anger and a stronghold for those who trust Him, verse 7, but also "one who will not acquit the wicked",verse 3. Not only was Nahum's prophetic message given to the Gentile city of Nineveh, but also to Nahum's own people, the Jewish people.

Nahum reveals this awesome God as a "God that will judge the Jewish people". The Jewish Messiah comes to the "mountain" in Jerusalem to publish peace throughout the world. Jewish people are aware that their Messiah will come to bring peace and He will arrive on the mountain that He left from, Acts 1:10-11, the Mt. of Olives across the Kidron Valley from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Notice that Nahum reminds the Jews to keep their "feast days" in light of what will happen during the Kingdom to come. At the Temple in Jerusalem, the "Jewish solemn feast" will once again be observed during the millennium, Ezekiel 45:7-25.

Orthodox Jewish Scholars today are preparing the Jewish people to look forward to that time when the Temple stands on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. At that time the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, will dwell among His people, the Jewish people forever, Psalm 132:13-14. Though the "sacrificial system" will be restored, it will be restored only as a memorial, not to take away sin.

As predicted in the prophecy of Nahum, the Jewish people are beginning to long for their Temple to be rebuilt and the Messiah to come - we are living in that day, even so come Lord Jesus. Remember, before that Temple is built the Rapture will happen.

PRAYER THOT: Let me see the awesomeness of God, our stronghold in a day of trouble, and eagerly await His return.